[ above courtesy drikung.org
]
color tapestry [ here]
from kagyu.org that does
not allow display on this page ]
[ above painting by Robert Beer ©1999 Micronicos
Ltd. ]
Naropa
( 1016 1100 )
Although born in the Fire-Male-Dragon year of 1016 in Bengal, India, Naropa occupies a "unique position" in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. "To the present day his life is held up as an example to anyone who aspires after spiritual values, which are never realized the easy way but only after years of endless toil and perseverance. It took Naropa twelve years of ardent devotion and indefatigable service to his Guru Tilopa to attain his goal: the overwhelming experience of the Real in direct knowledge. Apart from this, Naropa also marks the beginning of a new and rich era of Buddhist thought in Tibet, while at the same time he is the culmination of a long tradition. None of his contemporaries or successors in India can compare with him in depth of experience . . .
When he had reached the age of eleven he went for study to Kashmir, at that time the main seat of Buddhist learning. He stayed there for three years and having acquired a solid knowledge of the essential branches of learning he returned home in A.D. 1029. A large number of scholars went with him and for a further three years he continued his studies in their company. But then in A.D. 1032 he was forced to marry. His wife came from a cultured Brahmin family. The marriage lasted for eight years, then it was dissolved by mutual consent . . .
In A.D. 1049 Naropa went to Nalanda where he took part in a religious-philosophical debate. He was successful in this and was elected abbot, a post he held for eight years. The year A.D. 1057 was decisive for his spiritual development. He resigned from his post and set out in search of Tilopa who had been revealed as his Guru in a vision. After an ardent search which almost ended in suicide he met Tilopa and served him for twelve years until the latter's death in A.D. 1069. Naropa himself died in the Iron-Male-Dragon year (A.D. 1100). His mortal remains were preserved in the Kanika (Kaniska) monastery at Zangskar." (1)
The Six Yogas of Naropa :
2. Instructions on the Illusory-Body Yoga葉he Reliance of the Path.
3. Instructions on the Dream Yoga葉he Yardstick of the Path.
4. Instructions on the Light Yoga葉he Essence of the Path.
5. Instructions on the Bardo Yoga葉hat which is met on the Path.
6. Instructions on the Transformation Yoga葉he Core of the Path. (5)
links
Naropa
from Karma
Triyana Dharmachakra
Naropa's Guru was Tilopa
Naropa was Guru to Marpa
bibliography (and excerpts)
The Life and
Teaching of Naropa
Herbert V. Guenther (Translator), et al
Paperback / Published 1995
Shambhala
Publications
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The Six Yogas
of Naropa & Teachings on Mahamudra
Garma C.C. Chang (Translator)
1986: Snow Lion
Publications
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The Great Kagyu Masters
The Golden Lineage Treasury
( excerpt )
Translated by Khenpo Könchog Gyaltsen
Edited by Victoria Huckenpahler
Snow Lion Publications
/ 1990
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Illusion's
Game:
The
Life and Teaching of Naropa (cover)
Chogyam Trungpa, Sherab Chodzin (Editor)
Paperback / Published 1994
Shambhala
Publications
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Tsongkhapa's Six Yogas of Naropa
Tson-Kha-Pa Blo-Bzan-Grags-Pa,
Glenn H. Mullin (Translator)
Paperback / Published 1997
Snow Lion Publications
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Songs of Naropa Vol 1
Thrangu Rinpoche
Paperback / Published 1997
Rangjung Yeshe Publications
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The Life of Marpa the Translator:
Seeing Accomplishes All
Tsag Nyön Heruka ( 1452 - 1507 )
Nalanda Translation Committee (Translator),
under the direction of Chögyam Trungpa
Shambhala
Publications
Paperback / Published 1995
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1st Shambhala ed. 1986:
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1983 ed.:
Gtsan-Smyon He-Ru-Ka
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